Trump Administration Prepares Overhaul of H-1B Visa and Citizenship Test

The Trump administration is preparing separate rule changes to the H-1B visa program and to the naturalization test, according to a report by the New York Times. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is drafting a proposal that would give priority to companies offering higher salaries when petitions for H-1B work visas exceed the annual quota, the Times said, citing USCIS officials. The measure is aimed at discouraging the use of the visa category for lower-paid positions and at steering allocations toward firms that can demonstrate a greater need for highly skilled foreign workers. The administration is also working on revisions to the civics test required for U.S. citizenship applicants. While details have not been released, officials told the newspaper that the redesign would make the exam more rigorous to ensure a deeper understanding of American history and government. Neither initiative has been formally announced, and the Department of Homeland Security did not comment to the Times on the anticipated timelines for releasing proposed rules.